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Career Paths

Career development depends upon a number of factors including personal drive, commitment, capabilities, skills, and experience. At Northwestern Mutual - Chicago we support our financial representatives’ progress by offering areas of specialization and opportunities for leadership training. Our financial representatives are responsible for the path their careers take, and we are responsible for providing them with ample opportunities for growth.

Following is one success story from our financial advisors who are on a leadership path.

Todd Trexler, MSAFinancial Advisor

An Evans Scholar, Todd Trexler may have learned a thing or two about business on the golf course. After all, the round that impacted his career choice came down to a chance meeting with Chad McQuade, Managing Director of the Oak Brook district office. As a caddie, it was his job to carry Chad’s clubs and give advice on club selection and reading the greens. But it was Chad, who provided career advice in the relaxed and friendly environment of the tees, fairways and putting greens.

At the time, a graduate student at Northern Illinois University, Todd was studying accounting but didn’t feel a sense of purpose in number crunching. Chad invited him to learn more about the career as a financial advisor. After the first meeting with the team in Oak Brook, there was no looking back.

Career Journey

Todd started with Northwestern Mutual – Chicago in the post-graduate internship program and was offered the opportunity to join the firm full-time. With both an undergraduate and a graduate degree in accounting, Todd knew well about numbers. But to best serve his clients, he continued his education and became licensed in health and life insurance and earned his series 6 and 63 securities licenses.

His success in embracing the firm’s full-picture approach to financial planning led him to be selected to participate in the firm ’s innovative 1872 Leadership Development program. The program grows advisors personally and professionally challenging their thinking and accelerating their growth.

In his words, Todd tells about the career.

Making A Difference

We’re really partners with our clients. The greatest reward is when a client calls to share their life news. Whether that be getting married, buying a home, having a baby or finalizing plans for the trip that’s on their bucket list. We are a partner with them in their life’s journey and have helped navigate the way for them to financially achieve their goals.

Career Rewards

The income and flexibility is important. That said, the most important thing is the leadership here at Northwestern Mutual-Chicago. They are visionaries, and they work with you to help you achieve your goals. They genuinely care and want to help you build something great, not just for the firm, but for you and your clients.

Career Advice

As a student-athlete, I was conditioned to work hard, be competitive. Among other sports, I was also a swimmer in high school, and those 5 am early morning practices where a good training ground for the work ethic I need to be successful today. You get out what you put into this. You have to be committed to the process and know that the team around you will have your back. At the same time, you have to be 100% all-in with the resolve and determination to succeed.

Our 1872 Leadership Development Program is Making Headlines

Northwestern Mutual – Chicago Program Develops Purpose Driven Leaders

Finding purpose in work is driving today’s young professionals, and our new innovative career development program is leading the way. We kicked off our 1872 Leadership Development Program at Camp Greyfield, a highly-respected learning and training center. From team building to personal growth the experience drives purpose with learning, thinking and doing.

Careers

Looking for a career that allows flexibility and exceptional income potential? Do you want top-notch training, mentorship and resources? Have you been searching for a company that demonstrates a commitment to diversity and giving back to the community?

Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Milwaukee, WI (NM) (life and disability insurance, annuities, and life insurance with long-term care benefits) and its subsidiaries. Chad Michael McQuade is a Representative of Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company® (NMWMC), Milwaukee, WI (fiduciary and fee-based financial planning services), a subsidiary of NM, and federal savings bank.Representative is a District Agent of NM and Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company, Milwaukee, WI, (long-term care insurance) a subsidiary of NM and a Registered Representative of Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS) (securities), a subsidiary of NM, broker-dealer, registered investment adviser and member FINRA (www.finra.org) and SIPC (www.sipc.org).

The products and services referenced are offered and sold only by appropriately appointed and licensed entities and Financial Representatives. Financial Representatives might not represent all entities shown or provide all the services discussed on this web site. Not all products and services are available in all states.

Chad Michael McQuade, District Agent, the Northwestern Mutual has Financial Representatives that are primarily licensed in Illinois.